Tanya’s Soup Kitchen with Kelly Rae Leffel

The term “soup kitchen” means “a place where free food is served to those who are homeless or destitute.” And while Tanya’s Soup Kitchen (TSK), located at 1725 E Douglas Ave #105, typically charges you for your meals - it is still a place for all of Wichita to gather and feel safe while dining. Community is important to those of us who live and work in Wichita, and you cannot find a more communal restaurant in Wichita than TSK.

I had the Vegetable Chickpea and Quinoa for lunch that day!

Tanya Tandoc (pronounce “tan-ya” not “ton-ya”) first opened TSK in 1997 until 2004 when she closed down to pursue other passions in her life. But she reopened the spot in 2011 and Wichita was thrilled. This soup kitchen is so much more than a place to get delicious soup - there are other menu items as well and it is a place to meet with your fellow Wichitans to enjoy the community aspect that drives this great city.

Pardon the glossy sheen but Tanya’s has a wide variety of delicious eats.

Unfortunately, in 2015, Tanya passed on from this world but current owner Kelly Rae Leffel does not want Wichita to remember her for that event but to remember her for the passionate person she was. Tanya was a master architect and gardener - authentic, outgoing, vibrant and could literally build and grow something from anything. She was interested in many aspects of life from belly dancing to ceramics to feeding all of Wichita.

We had the chance to sit down with Kelly, close friend of Tanya and mom to all of Wichita, to hear some stories about TSK and what the restaurant looks like today. You can check out our full podcast interview with Kelly here or any podcast streaming sites. 

I spy some podcasting equipment.

Kelly worked closely with Tanya ever since she reopened the restaurant in 2011. After she passed, Kelly has taken on running the soup kitchen and continuing the memory of Tanya through her hard work and dedication to both her staff (which are basically her kids) and to the city of Wichita (also her kids, she does feed us all after all).

Kelly and TSK have done well over the years keeping the soup kitchen vibe going and have stood tall during the pandemic these last few years, especially. Not only did they continue to serve the public as best they could, but Kelly has done as much as she can to keep her hardworking employees happy as well. During the pandemic she would try to buy from different locally owned stores little treats or presents for her staff at least two times a week. She likes to take them on field trips when she can, as well. 

And (in my opinion) the coolest thing she has done has been commissioning the portraits of her employees that you will find when you dine in at TSK. She hired local artist Richard Davies to paint the portraits of all TSK employees who have worked there for at least two years. Many of them are hanging on the wall as you head to the bathroom and you will also find a larger portrait of both Kelly as well as Tanya. I promptly put in my two weeks notice at my day job and sent in an application to TSK because I am in love with this idea and want my portrait done. Maybe I will just hire Richard Davies...

Tune in to the podcast to hear me realize mid episode this was Kelly.

And of course, Tanya!

TSK is a cool place that provides for the city of Wichita in more ways than the average local might realize. It was such a fun time sitting down with Kelly and hearing all about Tanya and the restaurant over the years. TSK also puts out their daily soup options on their Facebook so check that out here. This restaurant is truly a place that serves the Wichita public and provides soup (and other goodies) to all.